They came to see: International delegation gets look at Dover's transparency

By Michelle Kingstonmkingston@fosters.com

fosters.com

By Michelle Kingstonmkingston@fosters.com

Posted Apr. 18, 2013 at 3:15 AM
Updated Apr 18, 2013 at 11:22 AM

By Michelle Kingstonmkingston@fosters.com

Posted Apr 18, 2013 at 3:15 AM
Updated Apr 18, 2013 at 11:22 AM

DOVER — The State Department's International Business Program is in full swing, making stops throughout New Hampshire after having spent last week in the nation's capital.

The program, which has been in existence for more than 73 years, according to its interpreter, Adel Salama, came to Dover to learn about the city's transparency on Wednesday afternoon.

The program plays host to more than a dozen international government officials, some in their own country's government and others employed through private organizations.

The officials — from Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and other countries — sat in the McConnell Center's Media Access Center, appearing very engaged in Transparent Dover, a page on Dover's website where people can find “just about anything they are looking for in the city,” according to Dover's Media Services Coordinator Mike Gillis.

Gillis explained how the website works and the city's goal is make local government as transparent as possible, allowing them to view city contracts, audits, purchases and salaries of its employees.

“The whole idea behind Transparent Dover is to at least get people there more quickly and give them this resource at least immediately,” Gillis said.

He explained the importance of the popular Budget Revealed initiative. He told the officials how City Manager Michael Joyal wanted to make it easier for residents to understand the budget process in Dover.

As Gillis spoke, Salama translated and the men and women in the audience raised their hands to ask questions.

Salama would translate the questions to Gillis from those who could not speak English.

Questions asked included how long it takes to move content to the website, why the budget for 2014 is available for viewing, how the city council form of government works and how the state is involved in local government. City Councilor Michael Crago was on hand to answer questions.

He told the officials the budget is available for residents to be involved and have continuing conversations and discussions on what they want to see in their city.

“Citizens were invited to Council Chambers last night and we had a question and answer program to answer any questions citizens might have had and we will do that many times in the next two months,” Crago said.He also proudly told the officials how Dover was voted one of the top 100 cities in the United States and one of the top cities to raise a family. Crago credits that to how the city shares information “seamlessly and transparently on the city website.”

Ma'in Amin Al-shamayleh, Ph.D., Director of Senate and House Affairs at the Jordanian Parliament, was one of the members of the program in Dover on Wednesday. He said he enjoyed the presentation.

“We saw all the things going well and it was interesting to learn about the city's concept,” he said. “It was a good experience.”

Amin Al-shamayleh said this was not his first trip to the United States. In the past, he spent five months in Tampa, Fla.

“The program covers all different aspects of education life, some can be in politics, some can be in religion,” Salama explained. “This one happened to be in the transparency in government.”

Salama said he brought the program members to Dover to give them the feeling of a small city and show how it can operate independently, not under a central government.

“As you know, they come from a centralized system of government, so we are trying to help them out and explore how a small city can be created and be independent and hold everybody accountable,” Salama said.

The members were going back to Concord Wednesday night and will fly to Denver, Colo., on Thursday to continue their program out west.